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LEFT:
This Sinclair filling station was built (circa 1937) using limestone rock from old Carterville Opera House which was on the site originally. The original roof was a hip roof that extended over the gas pumps as a canopy.
West side (before restoration work)
The rear half of the building was added many years ago, as evidenced by the color change due to the use of native rock instead of limestone.
This historic 1937 Sinclair filling station at 401 W. Main
(in the pro-Route 66 small town of Carterville) is presently the location of southwest Missouri's first Visitor's Welcome Center and Gift Shop. There is plenty of room for touring groups to park or overnight RV drycamping could be available on the included 50' X 100" vacant lot. Additional archive photos below.
This building has two floors!
Ground level includes a 200 sq. ft. showroom gift shop, an office alcove and a restroom with a small hot water heater, toilet, basin sink and shelving. The rear addition contains a remodeled lounge with a partial kitchen with shelving and a TV alcove, plus a large storage room with shelving and a workbench. Besides the one foot thick rock and cement walls, fiberglass insulation has also been added where needed.
The second level has the potential of becoming an apartment with living room, bed room, walk-in closet and a full bathroom. It is presently used for storage. It is fully insulated.
The structure is heated and cooled by a central air conditioning and heat pump system for heating as well. The building has natural gas service and a gas furnace that is not being used. The electrical wiring is recent and a large capacity breaker panel is in the rear storage room. An exterior 30 amp outlet is available for powering an RV. Rear access to the sewer is also available, plus fresh water spigot on west side.
A new security system includes smoke detectors and interior motion sensing with contacts on front and rear doors. The system is set-up for Central Station Monitoring. The Building is also wired for phone and cable service.
The building is presently listed at a reduced price of $45k. (depending on included items) and includes three commercial lots, 2, 50' X 50' used by the structure and 1, 50' X 100' adjoining vacant lot. An additional lot of the same size is presently for sale for ten to fifteen thousand dollars. The building property presently has about 100' of Main Street frontage. The new aluminum sign has vinyl lettering that may be replaced. Sign post is original to the Hudson Station and has been repainted. Note: Old fuel tanks were removed years ago.
All interior lighting fixtures, shelving, office desk & chair, drawers, paddle fan, Route 66 signs and wall decorations, new refridgerator, etc. are included in sale. Must sell by June 1st. (moving from area).
Contact Rod Harsh by cell phone at (417) 291-2647 for more information. Thanks.
"The Old Rock Filling Station" through the years...
The original station under construction in 1937.
(The structure across the street was built in 1900.)
LEFT:
This photo show the station about 11 years after it opened, around 1947. It had been closed, and was purchased by Bill Keck of Carterville who was looking for a business to buy at the close of WW II. He dug the pits for the fuel tanks himself, and you can see the hole on the right.
LEFT:
The former Sinclair station reopened in 1947 as a Hudson Oil Co. station. Note the price of gas at that time. Regular was selling for $.15.9 cents a gallon!
The station was also where Crown Coach and Greyhound busses made pick-ups.
LEFT:
As Bill's family began to grow, so did the building, which doubled in size to allow for living quarters for Bill and his family. A loft bedroom and storage area were added as well. The photo on the right shows Bill's grandson in the well-stocked office in 1964.
LEFT:
As the overhead roof aged, it was removed and no longer covered the pump island. This night photo shows the altered roof. Bill is shown hanging-out, waiting for his next customer.
Below: 1949 invoice for gas delivery.
LEFT:
In later years, Bill passed away and the station was converted into an electrical contractor's office owned by Louis "Corkey" George of nearby Webb City, MO..
After Corkey retired, another electrical contractor leased the building from him, and the business remained as Corkey's Electric for a few more years before closing.
In April of 2007, Rod and Barbara Harsh of Joplin, purchased the building from Corkey and began restoring the building to operate it as a Route 66 Visitors Welcome Center and Gift Shop, as well as the headquarters for the Visit 66.com websites.
The outside bathroom door was used by station customers, while Bill and his family used the inside bathroom. Bill also added a shower before the addition was added.
ABOVE & BELOW:
These photos show the Visitors Center nearing completition in late May. Vintage era furniture is used to reflect the hey-day era of Route 66. The new sign was installed, and a Grand Opening was held during the June 1st. thru 3rd., 2007 weekend.
Gift Shop, retail area features
Route 66 themed gifts, guidebooks, maps, signs and more.
Gift Shop, Exhibit Room features videos, displays and has a computer work station for guest use.
< Future Picnic table area
<RV overnight parking and car show area >
The Historic 1937
"Old Rock Filling Station"
is For Sale by Owner
for only $45K !
The building in October 2007.
South side
with large
rear patio deck.
East side
BELOW: These photos show the Visitors Center building as of December, 2007.
Front public areas
Front office desk space & new cash register
Remodeled Kitchen (or rear office) area. New refridgerator, recessed pantry, floor tile, drywall, trim, tv alcove.
Second floor loft is unfinished. Yellow door opens over rear patio. Old plaster ceiling shown. Door to storage.
Just off kitchen is storage room with lots of shelving and workbench area.
Second floor loft storage room is large enough for a bedroom, walk-in closet/dressing room, an HVAC closet and a full bathroom. Used for owner's storage room now. Has finished, reinforced sub-floor. Ducted heat and AC.
